Fire deal reached in West Hants

WINDSOR — The interruption of a long-standing fire service agreement between the Municipality of the District of West Hants and the Windsor fire department has been averted.

The two parties reached an agreement Thursday to maintain the coverage the Windsor department provides for parts of West Hants such as Falmouth and Three Mile Plains.

Scott Burgess, Windsor fire chief, said the agreement was reached at about noon, just four days before his department had indicated it would suspend service to West Hants if a solution to financial problems between the two parties had not been found.

“This agreement came after several days of negotiations,” Burgess said.

When contacted Friday, Burgess had just picked up a cheque from the municipal office that he described as “a significant lump-sum payment,” with the final amount owing to be determined by a provincially appointed mediator.

“We’re very hopeful and were looking forward to the (mediation) process,” he said.

“If it takes two months or six months, we’re willing to work things out.”

West Hants Warden Richard Dauphinee said he expects negotiations to progress quickly now that a mediator is in place. He said the Windsor fire brigade and the municipality are “going down the same road here” and the two sides appear ready to accept “whatever works.”

Dauphinee pointed out that the dispute “has been about accountability since Day 1.”

West Hants has been withholding fire service payments to the Windsor department, asking for more transparency in how the money is used.

A notice posted on the West Hants website states interim payments, accepted by both parties, will be made by West Hants to secure service through upcoming mediation. Planning is underway for the next phase of discussions.

“Both parties are pleased with the outcome of negotiations that have taken place this week,” the notice says. “They would like to thank staff for their tireless efforts and the community for its support and understanding.”

Hants West MLA Chuck Porter said a lot of work has been done behind the scenes and he is looking for a positive outcome through the mediation process.

“I’ve always believed there would be a resolution,” Porter said. “This is a great first step. The meditation will determine the outcome of what fire service in West Hants will look like in the future.”

Porter acknowledged the situation has caused “a lot of undue stress on residents and businesses in the area.”